Lewis Ellsworth to Richard Yates

"Confidential"

Collector's Office of Internal Revenue,

6th District, Illinois.

Naperville, Dec 19 1864

Hon Richard Yates

Springfield Il

My Dear Sir & Friend

Your favor of the 10th I found onn my return home yesterday morning after an absence of one week on official business. I learned that Dr. Sedgwick our member Elect had resigned, and an individual was spoken of, to fill the vacancy, who I was not satisfied would be reliable on the senatorial vote. I took a friend with me and drove to Wheaton to see H C Childs Esqr. He is not only reliable on the Senator but every other question that may come up for consideration and action of the Legislature

a man of good practical sense. I urged upon him the importance of his consenting to accept the nomination, which he finally did. Mr Childs is chairman of our County Committee. Mr Skinner the friend I took with me is also a member of the county committee who with Mr Childs constituted a majority of the executive committee. They decided to to call a meeting for nominating a candidate for the H.R. Hence the reason of my Telegraphing you to Officially notify H. C Childs of the resignation of Dr Sedgwick. Also it is important our county clerk be notified if not when you receive this please do so and order the Election, as the time is very short before the Election. If Mr Childs is nominated, which I have no doubt of, you can count on DuPage County for her vote, and the influence of her members. As to Dr Sedgwick I was not certain of his vote for you I supposed he would vote for you until I received a letter from him

on the subject a short time before I left home I found by that letter his mind had been been changed by the charges against you to which you allude in yours. I feel well satisfied with the situation in our county.

Now my Dear Sir as you have so freely spoken to me in relation to yourself, you will not be offended if I use freedom as a friend in speak'g to you. Your friends and their name is "legion", all have deeply regretted your misfortune in the too free use, at times, of intoxicating drink. it is the only charge, My Friend, that I have ever heard brought against you. No man in the State of Illinois has the confidence, and warm affection of the people of the state more fully than yourself, Except for this one misfortune; and this is being taken advantage of by your opponents, to your damage If it is in your power and I believe it is,

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I trust you will exercise that power and control the habit so effectually that you will obtain a complete victory, for all time, and be free from this heretofore great misfortune. Very many of your friends and I am amongst the number believe that you will. It would cause many a true and loyal heart to rejoice. It will cost you a struggle, the object is worthy of a continual struggle. - As you have taken a position to retrive, perhaps it might be thought by your friends that you would be the gainer by not having the Election for Senator take place immediately after the meeting of the Legislature. Of this it can better be judged of after consultation with all the Union Members as to how you stand on a vote. It is as you presumed very desirable the vote should be as neatly running as possible. There may be some & perhaps many that would give you this vote after an acquaintance personal with you, that would not if pressed to a vote at once. Gov Yates you possess talents

Lewis Elssworth, Collector

Sixth District, Illinois.

Naperville 186

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Collector's Office of Internal Revenue,

6th District, Illinois

Naperville, 186

if undimed by the loss of self control would honor the greatest & best of men, or statesmen

Show to the world that you have broken and thrown off the shackles no more to be encumbered by them. You are embedded in the best affection of our soldiers, (God bless them), and known to all as a true patriot. You may place me amongst your warmest friends. I expect to be at Springfield on or about the first of Jany. I have written to the Comissn for leave of absense for a short time. if granted by the Secrety of the Treasry, I shall be in Springfield. I leave thinking to be absent this week. I have written in great haste Believe me Truly Your Friend

Lewis Ellsworth

Lewis Ellsworth, Collector,

Sixth District, Illinois.

Naperville, Decem 19 1864

Has been over to see Childs who is all right on the Senatorial question, and any other question that may come up -

Will be in Springfield 1st January -